7 Deadly Sins for New Hires

4. Not Clarifying Expectations

When you don’t know what’s expected of you, it’s hard to deliver. Instead, meet with your manager to discuss the responsibilities of your position and how success will be measured. What are the priorities? How should you provide project updates? How will your performance be measured?

5. Refusing to Admit Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, and new hires make plenty. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that if you don’t admit them, nobody notices them. Instead, accept ownership, learn, make the correction and move on.

6. Rocking the Boat

Implementing changes before you get buy-in from others — and before you understand why things are done the way they are — can lead to jeers, not cheers. Instead, keep an open mind. Fully understand the current processes and procedures before proposing your changes (if you find they’re necessary), so you can make a good case for why they should be made.

7. Not Asking for Feedback

You don’t have to wait six months or a year to learn how you’re doing. In fact, waiting that long could put you, your team and even the company off course. Instead, ask your supervisor for a brief meeting after one month. Discuss what you’ve done right, where you’ve hit some snags and how you can make corrections.

You Can Turn Vice into Virtue

Beginning a new job is never easy. If you know you’re prone to one of these sins, stop and turn that knowledge into a virtue — before it’s too late. “Remember, nobody knows you on your first day,” Farrugia says. “You want to make a lasting impression, but be sure you stand out for the right reasons.”